Pages

Friday, May 9, 2014

Before she goes after the life she’s always wanted, she’s about to find the one she needs.Pepper has been hopelessly in love with her best friend’s brother, Hunter, for like ever. He’s the key to everything she’s always craved: security, stability, family. But she needs Hunter to notice her as more than just a friend. Even though she’s kissed exactly one guy, she has just the plan to go from novice to rock star in the bedroom—take a few pointers from someone who knows what he’s doing.

Her college roommates have the perfect teacher in mind. But bartender Reece is nothing like the player Pepper expects. Yes, he’s beyond gorgeous, but he’s also dangerous, deep—with a troubled past. Soon what started as lessons in attraction are turning both their worlds around, and showing just what can happen when you go past foreplay and get to what’s real…

Title: Foreplay (The Ivy Chronicles #1)

Author: Sophie Jordan

Publisher: William Morrow

Publication date: November 5, 2013

RATING: 5/5 STARS

THE COVER CONTESSA'S REVIEW:

I don't even know where to start with this book. I have kind of been on a contemporary read roll lately. I was not a contemporary reader until very recently. I hadn't found anything I liked and they all seemed the same. But now I see there are some great ones out there, and Jordan's book is no exception. I had heard fabulous things about this and book. While I try to keep an open mind, I've been disappointed with books that have been recommended in this genre and tend to only pick up the ones I want to read. This was definitely one that came recommended that I'm so glad I picked up.

Blurb from Goodreads:Before she goes after the life she’s always wanted, she’s about to find the one she needs.Pepper has been hopelessly in love with her best friend’s brother, Hunter, for like ever. He’s the key to everything she’s always craved: security, stability, family. But she needs Hunter to notice her as more than just a friend. Even though she’s kissed exactly one guy, she has just the plan to go from novice to rock star in the bedroom—take a few pointers from someone who knows what he’s doing.Her college roommates have the perfect teacher in mind. But bartender Reece is nothing like the player Pepper expects. Yes, he’s beyond gorgeous, but he’s also dangerous, deep—with a troubled past. Soon what started as lessons in attraction are turning both their worlds around, and showing just what can happen when you go past foreplay and get to what’s real…

Let me start off by saying how much I love the cover of this book. It's racey and fun and simple. I love the colors and the position of the models and the feeling sit evokes.

Pepper, oh Pepper. She's this naive, smart sassy chick. I really loved her and how she handled things. She had this bite to her that I wasn't expecting. I really thought she'd land in the more timid category. But while she was a bit naive in some areas (you can imagine which) in others she was really quick. She didn't miss a come back, she didn't miss an innuendo. It was perfect. She's pining after a guy that is not necessarily good for her, but she thinks he is because he's what safe. She wants safe, but Reece is anything but safe. Their relationship starts off rocky to say the least, it's all about sex, no romance involved. And yet, you still feel a romantic twinge throughout. Pepper's past weighs her down a bit, closes her off to possibilities that she doesn't think would be good for her even if they would help her realize who she really is.

Reece, well, he's just yummy. He's good looking and sexy and I want to eat him up. He seems like he might be a bit of a bad guy with his tattoos and off putting demeanor, but he's anything but that. He's a good guy whose heart is much bigger than he lets on to the crowd. He's a no nonsense type of guy. Gets right down to the nitty gritty, no if, ands or buts about him. At the same time, he's totally thrown for a loop when he meets Pepper. She's not what he's used to, which is all the girls who come on to him at the bar. But she does want what they all want, him for purely physical reasons. And yet, he allows her into his life. He opens his heart to her. It's instinctual and unexpected and something he doesn't allow. She gets under his skin. He's a mystery that waiting to be peeled open.

I love the introduction of the secondary characters. I definitely want to get to know them better. As with other stories in this genre, I know Jordan will not disappoint and we'll be seeing them in the future books!

I think my favorite thing about this book is the honesty, for the most part, that happens between the main characters. They go into their "relationship" without any ties, without thinking it is anything but what it is. And yet, as they spend more time together, getting to know each other intimately, they bond and form a relationship that is so much more than what they meant it to be.

And Sophie's writing is so great. It's easily paced, where you just don't want to put the book down (I read it in one sitting) and easy to navigate. She takes this genre and runs with it, providing a deeply romantic and in emotionally based story that grips you from the start. I didn't feel pushed or like there was so much happening I couldn't get a grip on the plot. It was perfect.

I got very worked up with this book, but I'm pretty sure that's where Jordan was going with it. I wanted to yell, cry, kiss and generally throw it at times. But all these things were for a good reason, the book was amazing. Fans of J. Lynn's Wait for you series or Katie McGarry's Pushing the Limits (yes I know that's YA but it has a similar feel) will totally enjoy Sophie's book

Sophie Jordan took her adolescent daydreaming one step further and penned her first historical romance in the back of her high school Spanish class. This passion led her to pursue a degree in English and History.A brief stint in law school taught her that case law was not nearly as interesting as literature - teaching English seemed the natural recourse. After several years teaching high school students to love Antigone, Sophie resigned with the birth of her first child and decided it was time to pursue the long-held dream of writing.

In less than three years, her first book, Once Upon A Wedding Night, a 2006 Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Nominee for Best First Historical, hit book shelves. Her second novel, Too Wicked To Tame, released in March 2007 with a bang, landing on the USA Today Bestseller's List.